Malik Juweid: "Wishing Death Upon Someone Shouldn't Be Taken As An Actual Threat"

Though Malik Juweid now, from Jordan, accuses Dean Lois Geist of making death threats to him, last summer, in an Iowa court hearing with a three-man judicial panel, Malik Juweid -- via Skype from Jordan -- freely admitted it was he who made the death threats to her, but that they didn't count because in Arab culture death threats are routinely made, and are not to be taken seriously. It's an Arab thang, and Americans and other hyper-sensitive Infidels should not be so quick to take offense or to worry. After all, is there any indication, anywhere, that Muslims and Arabs actually act on these death threats, are unusually violent and aggressive in their behavior, can suddenly turn even on those who are trying to help them, to fight for them?

Here's the story:

Iowa professor questions officials who put him on leave

Judge admonishes Juweid for verbal outbursts during hearing

Former University of Iowa radiology professor Malik Juweid poses for a picture in his home in Coralville, Iowa on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley)

UPDATE: A University of Iowa professor said his erratic behavior and unprofessional conduct can be explained by cultural differences and by the mental stress he suffered working at the UI.

Geist had just testified that Juweid swore at her in a Dec. 5, 2011, phone call and hoped for her death.

“If I have to stop you again, we’ll hit the mute button until it’s time for you to talk,” Ney warned Juweid.

Members of the UI’s Threat-Assessment Team testified about meeting Jan. 11, 2011, with about 20 hospital employees who were bothered or threatened by Juweid’s behaviors. The next day, the UI put Juweid on administrative leave.

“I was hopeful you could come back to the university,” said Lt. Peter Berkson, a UI police officer and member of the threat-assessment team. “However, you continue to cause problems, send emails that are inappropriate, talk poorly about people, make what people consider threats. You said a number of times that you hoped people died horrible, terrible deaths.”

Wishing death upon someone is common in Arabic cultures and shouldn’t be taken as an actual threat, Juweid said.

“You are free to kick me out, I am expecting that from you,” Juweid said. “I am a widely-respected scientist and I will find a job outside the United States. Racism exists at the university. I regret the day I set foot in that place.”

Toward the end of the 10-minute window, Juweid, who had warned his computer was running out of power, disappeared from the screen and the connection was lost. That was the last word for Friday, but Juweid and the UI has until July 9 to submit supporting documents. If Juweid doesn’t like Mason’s ruling, he can appeal to the state Board of Regents.